You might not have seen it if Thursday night's sloppy play in the second half lulled you to sleep or if you were running to the fridge to grab snacks for the McCain speech, but as the clock dwindled down on last night's game, Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels fell on DE>LB>DE Mathias Kiwanuka, being called for holding and leaving Kiwanuka on the ground clutching his ankle. Kiwanuka's fine in the medical sense. But he's not pleased with Samuels."Honestly, I thought it was a dirty play," Kiwanuka said. "There's no question about it, he was definitely beat. Instead of recovering or giving up or whatever options you have ... I don't think there's any place for that in the NFL."Justin Tuck alluded to the fact that Samuels was aiming to injure Kiwanuka on the play, and Antonio Pierce defended Samuels intention -- protecting Jason Campbell -- while hinting at, and admonishing, Samuels' attempt to hurt Kiwanuka. Tom Coughlin said Samuels told him it wasn't intentional.
Losing Kiwanuka would have been a major blow and some ridiculously bad luck for the Giants, but he's feeling fine and is expected to play next week against St. Louis.
As Pierce noted, Kiwanuka's health is all that really matters in the issue, but you can bet the competition between he and Samuels will be a lot more intense when the teams meet again later this season.
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New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, right, talks on his headset as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stnads nearby during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is sacked by Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Wilson, right, with help from linebacker Jason Taylor, left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs runs for 16 yards as Washington Redskins' Andre Carter, right, closes in during the third quarter of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Jacobs rushed for 116 yards as the Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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Washington Redskins Clinton Portis (front) is tackled by New York Giants R.W. McQuarters in the fourth quarter during their season opening NFL football game in East Rutherford, September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)
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Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn reacts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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New York Giants' Eli Manning looks for a receiver during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants' John Carney (5) kicks a field goal as Jeff Feagles holds during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Carney kicked three field goals as the Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell reacts after the Redskins were assessed a false-start penalty during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn, center, looks up during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (C) is sacked by Washington Redskins Jason Taylor (L), Chris Wilson (C, rear) and Lorenzo Alexander (R) in the fourth quarter during their season opening NFL football game in East Rutherford, September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-08-2008 @ 7:34AM
Brodie said...
Cry baby. Offensive linemen constantly commit penalties in attempts to protect their QBs. I saw the play - it looked painful, but it definitely didn't look intentional or insidious. I'm sure Kiwanuakuakuakua would have loved for Samuels to just let him go, but seriously, how often do linemen actually do that? Quite often they'd rather risk a penalty than let their QB get blown up.
Quit being a cry baby.
Reply
9-05-2008 @ 6:09PM
Shane said...
With comments like that, I would guess you are a Eagles fan.
Apparently you don't know dirty when you see it.
Big surprise there!
What goes around, comes around.
Reply
9-05-2008 @ 9:34PM
itsjustme said...
"Justin Tuck alluded to the fact", a FACT? Really? Nice piece of journalism, I also saw the play, in fact I have watched the play 4 times now, and I can't see how in any way anyone could say Samuels intentionally fell on his leg in an attempt to hurt him. I hope Kiwanuka is man enough to admit that after he looks at the film.
And shut up Shane.
Reply
9-05-2008 @ 9:58PM
Rich Kid said...
Typical Giant Reaction....I guess next you will be telling us this is the reason you will not return as Super Bowl Luck Contenders! The Giants are Blow Hards! Kiwanuka? Who the hell is this quack? The Redskins played aweful last night yet remained within striking distance. 1 Touchdown from the reigning Super Bowl Chumps? Oh Yeah, they'll repeat alright. Dumb Azzez!
Reply
9-06-2008 @ 10:50AM
Mike Brew said...
Are you still angy the Giants are the reigning SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS????? Good luck this year with whatever it is you call a team. Luck is a beautiful thing isn't it. One more time for ya. GIANTS = SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!
9-06-2008 @ 8:12AM
Choppy said...
There is no way that that was intentional. How many times do you have to watch it to figure that out. Its just a player that got hurt, pissed off he couldn't get to the QB....Happens every week in the NFL..
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9-06-2008 @ 11:32AM
Howie said...
All you Jealous haters of the Giants should talk about the teams you root for and lack of talent you have to put up with every year. The Giants last year did what NO OTHER TEAM has done and you suckers cant take it. The next thing I will hear from you A_ _ Holes will be break up the Giants like they use to say about the Yankees. Dont Talk about a team that did what you hope and pray your team would just come close to doing. Be man enough to give credit where it is due but that would only come from a true sports fan not what is coming from has beens like you ALL.
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9-06-2008 @ 12:40PM
Tim said...
This isn't the first time has apologized for hurting somebody. Last December he broke the leg of Bears DT Antonio Garay with an illegal chop block. Afterwards saying he didn't do it on purpose. Samuels ended up being fined $12,500 by the league for the hit.
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9-06-2008 @ 3:29PM
t p said...
Giants 17 Patriots 14 your team couldn't stop the G-Men either lol
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9-06-2008 @ 5:37PM
lk said...
Uhm...how did the giants do what no other team has done? Wasn't it superbowl 42? so by that count 41 other teams have done what the giants did. And shane you are right about what goes around comes around. Wasn't that Osi that put a concussion on a QB a few weeks back. Whatever happened to Osi? Karma really is a bitch.
Reply
9-08-2008 @ 11:48PM
Paul said...
Well lets see with the pats out of the way its a definite repeat year for the giants sorry to hurt everyones feelings.. :)
Reply
9-13-2008 @ 8:25AM
Fenderbender said...
Sure, the Giants beat the Redskins - Is it really that big a deal? First regular season game with a new head coach, new system, and a quarterback with less than 25 regular season starts. The Giants were supposed to win. They would really suck if they hadn't. Repeat as Super Bowl champions??????????? Fat chance. They won't get past the Eagles or the Cowboys. Where will all the loudmouth fans be then?
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